Making Sense Of Menopause

Have you ever continued doing something simply because you've always done it that way? In this episode, Roberta shares a surprising analogy inspired by the difference between imperial and metric measurements and explores how it relates to our health during perimenopause and menopause. Many of the habits and strategies that worked in our twenties and thirties may no longer be giving us the res...

Do you leak urine when you cough, sneeze, exercise or rush to the toilet? Many women assume bladder leakage is a normal part of ageing, having children or going through menopause. While it is common, it is not something you simply have to put up with. In this episode, Women's Health Physiotherapist Roberta Bass explains:  Why incontinence becomes more common during perimenopause and menopause...

We talk more about menopause than we used to, but there are still symptoms that many women feel uncomfortable discussing. In this episode, Roberta explores some of the less talked about aspects of perimenopause and menopause, including:  Incontinence and pelvic health issues   Vaginal dryness and discomfort   Loss of confidence and self-esteem   Changes in libido   Hair thinning and hair changes ...

Have you suddenly become more anxious during perimenopause — even about things that never used to bother you? In this episode of Making Sense of Menopause, Roberta explores why anxiety and fear can feel heightened during perimenopause and menopause, from driving anxiety and morning dread to feeling constantly “on edge.” She explains:  How hormonal changes affect the nervous system   Why cortisol a...

Work is stressful enough without adding perimenopause and menopause symptoms into the mix. But for millions of women, that's exactly the reality — navigating brain fog, hot flushes, anxiety and exhaustion while trying to perform at work, often without any support or understanding from the people around them. In this episode, Roberta Bass explores the link between workplace stress and menopaus...

Episode Overview Are you waking up stiff and achy every morning? Struggling with hip pain, shoulder pain, or back pain that doesn't seem to respond to treatment? If you're in perimenopause or postmenopause, your hormones could be at the root of it. Joint pain and stiffness is one of the most common — and most misunderstood — symptoms of menopause. In this episode, Roberta Bass explains e...

Episode Overview If you've been reaching for a glass of wine or a G&T at the end of a long day, you're not alone — and you're not being judged. But if you're navigating perimenopause or menopause, it's worth asking: is alcohol actually helping, or is it quietly making your symptoms worse? In this episode, Roberta Bass explores the connection between alcohol and menopau...

If menopause has knocked your confidence, you're not alone. In this episode we look at why self-esteem takes such a hit during menopause — and what you can do about it at a deeper, subconscious level. Because you can wear all the right colours and still walk into a room feeling invisible. Why menopause affects confidence Weight gain, poor sleep, hot flushes, slowing metabolism — these symptom...

In this episode, I share my experience of going for a colour analysis and how it made me reflect on something much deeper than just clothes. We often think confidence comes from how we look—but actually, it’s about how we feel in ourselves. I talk about how many women, especially during perimenopause, lose confidence in their appearance, stop making the effort, and start putting themselves last. A...

In this episode, I share a personal story about the challenges of parenting a teenager—and how it surprisingly mirrors the experience of perimenopause. We explore how hormonal fluctuations affect behaviour, emotions, and reactions, and why this can create tension in the home—especially when both parent and child are struggling at the same time. More importantly, we look at what we can learn from t...

Have you ever been told to “just get on with it” after surgery? In this episode, I share a real patient story that highlights a much bigger issue in women’s health: the lack of support, follow-up, and education after major gynaecological surgery. This patient had a full abdominal hysterectomy and was placed into surgical menopause—yet received little to no guidance on recovery, long-term health, o...

Do you struggle to switch off at the end of the day?  Feel like your mind is constantly racing, even when you’re trying to relax? In this episode, I share how something simple—doing a jigsaw—has become a powerful way for me to switch off, reduce stress, and bring myself back into the moment. After years of not doing them, I recently found myself drawn back to jigsaws. What started as a bit of nost...

What if you stopped comparing yourself to everyone else and simply allowed yourself to be ? In this episode, Roberta explores a clip featuring Stephen Fry and Robin Williams, where Fry makes a striking observation: animals don’t try to be other animals — but humans try to be someone else every single day . During perimenopause and postmenopause, when identity shifts are already happening — physica...

When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried? In this episode, Roberta explores why laughter isn’t just something that “feels nice” — it has measurable effects on your stress hormones, nervous system, and emotional wellbeing. And during perimenopause, when life often feels heavier and your resilience drops, laughter becomes even more powerful. Drawing on real moments from her Pilates class...

In this episode, Roberta explores how the small, unnecessary pressures we carry every day—matching socks, tidy houses, perfect routines—quietly overload our stress bucket, especially during perimenopause when hormonal changes reduce resilience. Through a personal story involving her now-famous odd socks, Roberta illustrates how letting go of perfectionism and unnecessary decisions can create vital...

Most of us would never ignore a flashing light on the dashboard — yet many women ignore the early signs of perimenopause for months or even years. In this episode, Women’s Health Physiotherapist and Menopause Mentor Roberta Bass uses a simple but powerful analogy: if your body were a car, would it pass its MOT? Roberta explains why women often push through symptoms, how hormone changes can affect...

Perimenopause can place enormous pressure on relationships, even those that have always felt strong. In this episode, Women’s Health Physiotherapist and Menopause Mentor Roberta Bass explores how fluctuating hormones influence mood, patience, libido, confidence, communication, and emotional regulation — and why so many midlife couples find this stage unexpectedly challenging. Roberta explains how...

Most women reach perimenopause without ever having been taught what menopause actually is, what symptoms to expect, or how to recognise the early signs. In this episode, Women’s Health Physiotherapist and Menopause Mentor Roberta Bass explores why menopause education has been missing for so long — in schools, in healthcare training, and in society — and how this gap leaves many women feeling unpre...

In this heartfelt and empowering episode of Making Sense of Menopause , women’s health physiotherapist and wellness mentor Roberta Bass reflects on the importance of mindset and community in creating lasting change. Roberta shares honestly about her own journey — from leaving the NHS and starting her clinic to rebuilding her confidence and finding support through community. She explains why mindse...

In this honest and inspiring episode of Making Sense of Menopause , women’s health physiotherapist and wellness mentor Roberta Bass shares her personal experience of living with chronic fatigue and hypermobility — and how committing to gentle, consistent morning movement transformed her energy, pain, and mindset. Roberta reveals what finally made the difference after years of discomfort, frustrati...

In this relatable and practical episode of Making Sense of Menopause , women’s health physiotherapist and menopause mentor Roberta Bass shares how to “set the stage” for a good night’s sleep — quite literally. Drawing on her love of theatre, Roberta compares the bedtime wind-down to striking a show : packing away the set, turning off the lights, and preparing the stage for the next performance. Sh...

In this empowering episode of Making Sense of Menopause , women’s health physiotherapist and menopause mentor Roberta Bass helps you make sense of the menopause journey — a unique and often unpredictable path that looks different for every woman. Roberta uses the metaphor of walking along a bright, sun-filled path where you can only see a few steps ahead, reflecting how perimenopause and menopause...

Bone health and balance often get overlooked until it’s too late. But with falling oestrogen levels in menopause, the risk of osteoporosis and fractures rises sharply. In this episode, I explain why bone health matters, the difference between osteopenia and osteoporosis, and how balance training can protect you against falls. You’ll also hear practical tips for building strength and confidence thr...

Do you ever find yourself running on autopilot — driving a route without thinking, or reaching for coffee when you’re tired? Habits that once worked for us can actually make menopause symptoms worse. In this episode, I explore how subconscious patterns affect our health in perimenopause, why some old habits no longer serve us, and how to create new, conscious choices that support your wellbeing. Y...

Welcome to the Making SENSE of Menopause Podcast . In this first episode, I explain why I’ve chosen to focus entirely on menopause, my personal journey that led me here, and how the SENSSE® Method will guide the show. If you’re feeling dismissed or overwhelmed by menopause symptoms, this podcast will help you find clarity, support and practical steps to feel better. You’ll learn: Why I rebranded t...